EU Commission warns Meta about the end of fact checks in the EU

The EU Commission is warning the Facebook company Meta not to end the fact-checking program in the European Union. The Digital Services Act stipulates, among other things, that the platforms reduce systemic risks such as “disinformation or negative effects on civil society discourse,” said the Commission spokesman for digital affairs, Thomas Regnier, on the news radio MDR Aktuell on Tuesday evening.

If Meta no longer works with independent fact checkers in the EU, the platform would have to “carry out its own risk assessment and submit a report to the Commission” in accordance with the law.

In fact, if the platform does not comply with the Digital Services Act, “we could also issue a fine that could amount to up to six percent of the global turnover of such a platform,” explained Regnier. It must be ensured that very large platforms adhere to the rules applicable in the EU when they offer their services there, the spokesman emphasized.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg announced drastic changes for Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday. Among other things, cooperation with external fact checkers will be ended – initially in the USA. In the future, users were instead given the opportunity to flag false or misleading statements.